Hot water faucet lock

ABSTRACT

A faucet lock for use with a lavatory sink faucet having at least one water valve control handle, the faucet lock comprising a base, a bracket, having first and second ends thereof, wherein the first end is adjustably attached to the base such that the second end is positionable adjacent to the control handle preventing the control handle from opening the water valve, thus locking the water valve in a closed position, wherein the faucet lock prevents small children, disabled persons and others from unauthorized use of the water valve. The present invention faucet lock is a safety device to protect children and others especially special needs persons with spasticity or other disabilities from accidentally being exposed to hot water.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a hot water faucetlock, and in particular to a faucet locking device designed for use witha typical lavatory faucet having blade type faucet handles. The deviceof the present invention locks a faucet handle preventing theunauthorized use of a water valve by small children or others includingspecial needs persons.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Many prior art faucet locking devices exist in the art and aredesigned for specific applications or purposes. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 5,557,955 to Kinsella discloses a hot water faucet locking devicefor use with a bathtub style faucet arrangement. U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,682to Fischer teaches a water faucet rotation prevention device thatprevents inadvertent and unwanted rotation of bathtub water faucetvalves.

[0003] Many other prior art devices exist designed to prevent theunauthorized use of water faucets for both lavatory sinks as well asbathtub faucet arrangements. The device of the present inventiondiscloses a novel and unique faucet locking device to be used withtypical lavatory sinks having blade type faucet handle arrangements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention hot water faucet lock was designedespecially for the safety of children with physical disabilities. It isdesigned as a safety device to protect children and others withspasticity or other disabilities from accidentally being exposed to hotwater. Hot tap water from lavatory sinks can burn the skin of smallchildren or even adults. Even if the tap water is not hot enough tocause serious burns it can cause discomfort or even scare a child. Manyinstitutions have lavatory sinks having wrist-blade or blade-type faucethandles to operate the water valves. The present invention faucetlocking device is designed to fit behind the faucet on a typical sinkand lock the faucet handle, preventing inadvertent or accidental use ofthe water valves especially hot water valves. The device comprises abase having a one or more adjustable brackets which are easilypositionable adjacent to the faucet handle preventing the faucet handlefrom being turned on. The present invention faucet lock device can beeasily removed by an adult or other person authorized to use the waterfaucet. Other embodiments of the present invention include both a firstand second bracket adjustably attached one to the other such that thelocking device is adjustable both in height and length so that it can beused with a variety of faucet configurations.

[0005] The present invention faucet lock can also be used to limit theavailable volume of water. The adjustable brackets of the faucet lockassembly can be adjusted to allow the faucet handle to be partiallyrotated allowing some water to flow while restricting full rotation ofthe faucet handle. The adjustable brackets described herein provide afull range of motion of the faucet handle and therefore can be set toallow the flow of any portion of the volume of available water.

[0006] Obviously all components of the present invention can beconstructed of any suitable materials including plastic, metal, wood orany combination thereof. One embodiment of the present invention alsoincludes the availability for the use of a second lock such as a keyedlock or padlock to secure the faucet from unauthorized use.

[0007] Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention toprovide a faucet locking device of relatively simple and inexpensiveconstruction for locking a faucet handle in the off position.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a faucetlocking device comprising brackets that are capable of universalmounting to control both hot and cold water faucet handlesindependently, while also providing adjustability to both the length andheight of the brackets, such that the faucet locking device can be usedwith a wide variety of faucet handles, in particular blade type faucethandles.

[0009] Another object is to provide a faucet lock for use with alavatory sink faucet having at least one water valve control handle, thefaucet lock comprising a base, a bracket, having first and second endsthereof, wherein the first end is adjustably attached to the base suchthat the second end is positionable adjacent to the control handlepreventing the control handle from opening the water valve, thus lockingthe water valve in a closed position, wherein the faucet lock preventssmall children, disabled persons and others from unauthorized use of thewater valve.

[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide a faucetlock wherein the base is disposed on a rear portion of the sink.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a faucetlock wherein the base is positioned rearward of the sink.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a faucetlock wherein the base further comprises a plurality of brackets forlocking a plurality of water valves.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a faucetlock comprising a bracket such that the bracket attaches to the base atvariable heights.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a faucetlock comprising a bracket wherein the bracket attaches to the base atvariable lengths.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a faucetlock comprising a bracket which adjusts to limit rotation of a faucethandle for providing variable limited use of the water valve.

[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide afaucet lock wherein the faucet lock further comprises a second locksecuring the bracket in the position adjacent the control handle.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a faucetlock wherein the control handle is a hot water control handle.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a faucetlock wherein the bracket comprises flexible and positionable materialwherein the faucet is locked when the bracket is positioned around thecontrol handle preventing the control handle from opening the watervalve.

[0019] Still another objective of the present invention is to provide afaucet lock for use with a lavatory sink having at least one water valvecontrol handle, the faucet lock comprising a base, a first bracketattached to the base, a second bracket having first and second endsthereof, wherein the first end adjustably attaches to the first bracketsuch that the second end is positionable adjacent to the control handlepreventing the control handle from opening the water valve, thus lockingthe faucet in a closed position, wherein the faucet lock prevents smallchildren, disabled persons and others from unauthorized use of the watervalve.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a faucetlock comprising first and second brackets wherein the base is disposedon a rear portion of said sink.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a faucetlock comprising first and second brackets wherein the base is positionedrearward of said sink.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a faucetlock having first and second brackets wherein the base further comprisesa plurality of the brackets for locking a plurality of water valves.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a faucetlock having first and second brackets wherein the brackets attach to thebase at variable heights.

[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide a faucetlock having first and second brackets wherein the brackets attach to thebase at variable lengths.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is to provide a faucetlock having first and second brackets wherein the faucet lock furthercomprises a second lock securing the brackets in a position adjacent thecontrol handle.

[0026] Another object of the present invention is to provide a faucetlock having first and second brackets wherein the control handle is ahot water control handle.

[0027] Additional objects, advantages and other novel features of theinvention will be set forth in part in the description that follows andin part will become apparent to those skilled in the art uponexamination of the following or may be learned with the practice of theinvention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realizedand obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in use on atypical lavatory sink;

[0029]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention having a base for use with a sink mounted apart from a wall;

[0030]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the faucet lockof the present invention having first and second brackets adjustablyattached to the base; and

[0031]FIG. 4 is a detailed view of an adjustable bracket assembly of oneembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0032] Detailed preferred embodiments of the present invention aredisclosed. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosedembodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodiedin various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailedsystem or structure. It will be understood that the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, and relative component sizes may be exaggerated tofacilitate an understanding of the invention.

[0033] The present invention relates to a faucet locking device designedto eliminate accidental or inadvertent use of water faucets especiallyhot water faucets. Although the present invention faucet lock isdesigned to be used with typical lavatory sinks having blade type faucethandles, this device can be used in a wide variety of embodiments asdescribed above and claimed in the following claims.

[0034] Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals represent likeparts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows the present inventionfaucet lock, generally 1, as used on a typical lavatory sink 3. Base 10is disposed on a rear portion of sink 3. Bracket 2 is adjustablyattached to base 10 and positioned such that an end thereof is adjacenthot water faucet control handle 4. Rubber cap 6 attached to bracket 2protects faucet control handle 4 from damage.

[0035]FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention faucet lock 1having base 10 designed for use with a typical lavatory sink whichmounts away from a wall. Lower portion 12 of base 10 fits betweentypical lavatory sink supports.

[0036]FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention locking device1 comprising base 10, a first bracket 2 adjustably attached to base 10.A second bracket 7 adjustably attaches to first bracket 2 such that thefaucet locking device 1 is adjustable in both height and length for withmany different faucet arrangements.

[0037]FIG. 4 shows one type of adjustable brackets 2 and 7 having bothheight and length adjustability to be used with various faucetconfigurations.

[0038] It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that manymodifications to the preferred embodiment of the present invention arepossible without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention.For instance it will be readily understood by those skilled in the artupon reading and understanding this specification and drawings that thepresent invention can be used with many faucet arrangements. Alsounderstood is that the faucet locking device of the present invention isdesigned to prevent children and others, especially special needspersons from injuries caused by inadvertent or accidental use of hotwater faucets on lavatory sinks, laundry tubs and other applications.

[0039] While the present invention has been described with preferredembodiments thereof, it will be understood that many modifications willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it isintended that this invention be limited only by the following claims andequivalents thereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A faucet lock for use with a lavatory sink faucethaving at least one water valve control handle, said faucet lockcomprising: a base, a bracket, having first and second ends thereof,wherein said first end is adjustably attached to said base such thatsaid second end is positionable adjacent to said control handlepreventing said control handle from opening said water valve, thuslocking said water valve in a closed position, wherein said faucet lockprevents small children, disabled persons and others from unauthorizeduse of said water valve.
 2. The faucet lock as claimed in claim 1wherein said base is disposed on a rear portion of said sink.
 3. Thefaucet lock as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base is positionedrearward of said sink.
 4. The faucet lock as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid base further comprises a plurality of said brackets for locking aplurality of said water valves.
 5. The faucet lock as claimed in claim 1wherein said bracket attaches to said base at variable heights.
 6. Thefaucet lock as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bracket attaches to saidbase at variable lengths.
 7. The faucet lock as claimed in claim 1wherein said bracket adjusts to limit rotation of said faucet handle forproviding variable limited use of said water valve.
 8. The faucet lockas claimed in claim 1 wherein said faucet lock further comprises asecond lock securing said second end of said bracket in said positionadjacent said control handle.
 9. The faucet lock as claimed in claim 1wherein said control handle is a hot water control handle.
 10. Thefaucet lock as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bracket comprises aflexible and positionable material wherein said faucet is locked whensaid bracket is positioned around said control handle preventing saidcontrol handle from opening said water valve.
 11. A faucet lock for usewith a lavatory sink having at least one water valve control handle,said faucet lock comprising: a base, a first bracket attached to saidbase, a second bracket having first and second ends thereof, whereinsaid first end adjustably attaches to said first bracket such that saidsecond end is positionable adjacent to said control handle preventingsaid control handle from opening said water valve, thus locking saidfaucet in a closed position, wherein said faucet lock prevents smallchildren, disabled persons and others from unauthorized use of saidwater valve.
 12. The faucet lock as claimed in claim 10 wherein saidbase is disposed on a rear portion of said sink.
 13. The faucet lock asclaimed in claim 10 wherein said base is positioned rearward of saidsink.
 14. The faucet lock as claimed in claim 10 wherein said basefurther comprises a plurality of said brackets for locking a pluralityof said water valves.
 15. The faucet lock as claimed in claim 10 whereinsaid bracket attaches to said base at variable heights.
 16. The faucetlock as claimed in claim 10 wherein said bracket attaches to said baseat variable lengths.
 17. The faucet lock as claimed in claim 10 whereinsaid bracket adjusts to limit rotation of said faucet handle forproviding variable limited use of said water valve.
 18. The faucet lockas claimed in claim 10 wherein said faucet lock further comprises asecond lock securing said second end of said bracket in said positionadjacent said control handle.
 19. The faucet lock as claimed in claim 10wherein said control handle is a hot water control handle.
 20. Thefaucet lock as claimed in claim 10 wherein said bracket comprises aflexible and positionable material wherein said faucet is locked whensaid bracket is positioned around said control handle preventing saidcontrol handle from opening said water valve.